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Smart Shopper Best Car for a new teenage driver
554 messages, Last post on Nov 08, 2009 at 7:33 PM
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Replying to: alp8 (Aug 25, 2006 8:18 am)  . My Grandpa told me I needed to make sure I checked the oil. I unfortunately had failed to do that and since I didn't realize how imperitive that was, I ran the truck out of oil... Anyway, good luck on finding something that will suit your needs. Are you really willing to spend 20K on a car that your kids will drive? I barely spent 20K on the car that we use for a family car. If you wanted to lower your price to between 5K and 10K you could probably get a decent Camry for that price. The model years 1992-2001 (2 different body styles) fall within that range. It isn't "slow" - meaning that it won't be behind the trucks going up steep grades, but it isn't a road rocket either. The insurance rates would probably be more favorable and the cars are pretty reliable. It's not flashy and may not be the star of the parking lot, but at least it will be safe, reliable, probably able to make it up the steep grade you mentioned at Tahoe and be able to hold its own that steep 3 mile grade.... Spending only 5-10K instead of 20K even if money really isn't the issue in my mind makes more sense. Than when she is ready to head off to college she could use that extra money saved for a nice apartment, books, tuition etc... just some more of my 2 cents....
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Replying to: the_big_al (Jun 27, 2008 3:16 pm) and with that saved money, I can help pay for my Z4?  actually, a buddy tonight may have talked me out of the Z4 and into a Saturn Sky it's funny how buddies can do that |
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Hey there, My son is going into his senior year of high school and he has had his license since the end of his sophmore year. he currently drives a 1991 Buick Regal Coupe. Unless you really need AWD then a large front wheel drive car should be enough. AWD does have its advantages and it really does work in bad weather, however many cars that have it are undesirable for teen drivers. If you don't mind putting your daughter in an SUV then that is fine. I see many teen girls driving in Grand Cherokees or smaller SUVs like Honda CR-Vs or Ford Escapes. If AWD is a necessity, than i would suggest you look at a Subaru Impreza 2.5 (Non WRX) or a small SUV such as a CR-V but no larger than a Chevy Equinox. If you find that you don't need AWD, then i would suggest looking at post 2000 GM W-Bodies (Regals,Impalas, Grand Prixs, Monte Carlos), Honda Accords, Nissan Maximas, and Toyota Camries. If New England snow storms are any indication, large, V6, front drive cars should be enough to tackle mostly any weather.
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Replying to: exo425 (Aug 26, 2006 6:45 pm) how reliable are those cars? Given how much money I'd save by buying a used GM, I could afford a few repairs.
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I'm not sure about the rest of the GM lineup, but Buicks have very good reliability. One of my sons' first car (actually second, as he totalled the first one!) was a 1988 Buick LeSabre which was still in good condition when he sold it years later. He then bought a 1998 LeSabre which has also held up very well.
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| I'd bet you could pick up a new base model Subie Forester for under your 20k limit. Has AWD, a few power goodies , good safety ratings and enough go under the hood to keep her out of trouble, but not in trouble if that makes sense. | |
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Replying to: alp8 (Aug 27, 2006 8:36 pm)
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Replying to: suydam (Aug 28, 2006 5:11 am) |
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Replying to: exo425 (Aug 28, 2006 8:26 am) 
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| The best car for a teen in my opinion, given a $20k budget, would be an '03 or '04 Volvo S60 (non-turbo of course). I think these are the ultimate in safety, yet still stylish enough. | |
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